Give Retirement Health Care Its Own Budget | https://heatherbarrow.annuitiesgenius.com/

Budgeting only for federal health premiums can miss major gaps. A 65-year-old retiring in 2026 may need avg. $185.5K after tax, excluding long-term care.
Routine dental, vision, and hearing needs often sit outside standard federal coverage, so crowns, glasses, fittings, accessories, and replacements can become meaningful out-of-pocket expenses.
Drug coverage still leaves premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and noncovered prescriptions. In 2026, covered drug spending was capped at $2.1K before catastrophic coverage.
Beyond premiums, retirees also faced deductibles, ~20% cost sharing, specialist travel, parking, tolls, and small medical supplies that quietly lifted yearly spending.
A stronger plan totaled yearly routine costs, converted irregular bills into monthly savings, reviewed coverage yearly, and kept long-term care planning separate from regular budgeting.